This Story is About...

Share This Story On...

Alain Vigneault: Like Tippett, the Vancouver Canucks coach is not currently available. However, many believe that he will be fired after the Canucks were swept by San Jose in the first round of the playoffs. Vigneault has been fantastic with Vancouver but has not been able to get them over the top in a high-pressure city. He has produced 100-point seasons (the Canucks were on that pace this season) for five straight years, and he is seen as one of the top coaches in the NHL. Then again, the Canucks might decide they need to keep him.

Former Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault has informed the Stars he wants to take his name out of contention for their open head coaching position, according to Stars GM Jim Nill

Vigneault had a second interview in New York Friday and appears close to taking the open New York Rangers job, according to several published reports. That’s a tough hit for the Stars’ coach search. Nill had already flown up to Quebec to talk to Vigneault and had a second interview planned next week, according to a source close to the situation.

Nill would not confirm any information about the details of interviews with Vigneault or any other candidate in the coach search, but said he considered Vigneault a solid candidate.

“He’s a good coach, and obviously he’s had interest from other teams,” Nill said. “That’s just part of the process.”

If Vigneault signs with the Rangers, that will leave only the Stars and Canucks seeking coaches. Colorado hired Patrick Roy earlier to replace Joe Sacco and Edmonton hired Dallas Eakins to replace Ralph Krueger. The Stars had interest in Eakins, but were not able to interview him before he took the Edmonton job.

Among the candidates still out there are former Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and former New York Rangers coach John Tortorella. Nill has interviewed Ruff and could interview Tortorella this week, according to the source. Nill also has interviewed Stars AHL coach Willie Desjardins and is expected to talk to Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill when the AHL Finals are over. Grand Rapids, the AHL affiliate for Nill’s old team the Detroit Red Wings, is up 3-1 in the series with Syracuse.

Nill said he is staying the course and is not discouraged. He said he feels there are several strong candidates out there.

“This is a very good league with very good teams, and I think anyone would say that the Rangers or Canucks are great coaching jobs, just as they would say coaching the Dallas Stars is a great job. Different people need different things, and different people fit in different places. That’s all a part of this,” Nill said. “We have to be patient and find the right fit. I’m confident everything will work out well.”